In a fairly impressive statement of intent, Cork Constitution have underlined the seamless sense of continuity in their young ranks by retaining 11 of the starting line-up which beat Garryowen in the All-Ireland League decider on May Day for the opening defence of their crown against Buccaneers in Ballinasloe on Saturday.
The quartet of changes sees the return of centre Cian Mahony and number eight Ultan O'Callaghan (both ruled out of last season's final with injury) along with the selection of their talented young forwards Mick O'Driscoll, a summer signing from UCC, and Donnacha O'Callaghan, who replaces the sidelined David Corkery.
Albeit with a strong hint of patching up, similarly Buccaneers have managed to wheel out two-thirds of the team eclipsed by Constitution in Cork at the semi-final stage, with familiar front row, back row and half-backs. The changes see new signings Mel Deane and Gavin Webster (who replaces the retired Brian Rigney, now coach) unveiled for the first time, while a bonus has been Stephen McIvor's availability. He renewed training on Tuesday after a knee cartilage operation four weeks ago.
Garryowen make six changes from the side beaten in extra-time by Constitution on May Day. The return of Keith Wood, whose sheer presence and infectious enthusiasm is virtually incalcuable, will boost the attendance alone for the visit of Terenure, and is set alongside the AIL debuts of South African prop Connie Botha, and the former Old Crescent pair of flanker Paul Neville and centre Barry O'Neill.
Ben Cronin is inching his way back from a shoulder injury, while Jack Clarke has become player-coach at Richmond and the retired Paul Cunningham is now coaching the under-20s.
A comparatively changed Ballymena give league debuts to six of their off-season recruits in a full-strength selection for Saturday's visit of DLSP, among them Dion O'Cuinneagain who has surprisingly been declared fit after the recent batterings both his shoulders have taken playing for Ireland and Ulster.
The team also includes the Kiwi pair of hooker Aaron Gamble and out-half Simon Broughton, former Ballymoney flanker Jason Taggart, ex-Bective scrum-half Mark Edwards and former Portadown winger Jeff Park. With Taggart a diminutive presence at open-side in a mobile back row alongside Derek Topping and O'Cuinneagain - who have both played much of their rugby at openside - and Broughton having a reputation as a ball-playing, running out-half, a tactical sea change is anticipated at Eaton Park. The appearance of Clontarf's former All Black scrum-half Stu Forster has had to be put on ice, and likewise their league winning winger from Constitution, David O'Brien, while Mark Woods has emigrated to Australia and Pat Ward's recent facial injury has limited him to selection on the bench. Ollie Winchester moves to full-back, while Alan Reddan and Rob Casey make their AIL debuts in the three-quarters.
The entire Belfast Harlequins team could be said to be making their debuts given it is a first venture in Division Two for the club formed out of an amalgamation between North and Collegians. They unveil a raft of summer signings, in what is suspiciously like an ex-Ballymena back line especially, while former North Harbour number eight Mark Roberts joins compatriot Gerard O'Loan in the back row.
A scarcely recognisable Bective Rangers also kick-off their Division Two campaign with the visit of Greystones. As many as nine of their selection will be making their first AIL starts - right-wing Daragh Kearney, centres David Lyons and Robbie Milliken, half-backs Craig Pearce and Brad Free, props Brendan Crowley and Paul Kelly, as well as flankers Gareth Molloy and David Shaw. Another off-season recruit, Eugene Gibney, is sidelined along with former captain Steve Montgomery.
